His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

a bitter

"Of course she did.

day Sienna had brought me

the roses had made me

hives, my skin itching

Nathan hadn't believed me back then, accusing

new cosmetic

reaction. He had

always.

as he realized

"I-I didn't

course you didn't." My

You always believed whatever Sienna

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Pleas, But Our Son's

37

29

really,"

boNqNet, his

am. I didn't mean

interrupted, my

my house,

call the police again."

eyes widened, panic setting

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

stood there for a moment longer,

change my mind.

move, didn't soften, he

the bouquet of

hand.

down the steps,

soon as he was

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By Ow SONS IN

99

against it,

on me. The house was a mess, toys scattered

broken, the

in

a long time, I felt

Just indifference.

and bleeding. The sight of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid bouquet of roses like it was supposed to mean something, like it

everything that

all things. He still didn't get

never had.

I

rising in my chest as I looked down

must've told him